Ade set for quick return

AFC Wimbledon physio Stuart Douglas said he’s confident that striker Ade Azeez will be back in contention for Stevenage on Saturday week as the thigh injury he suffered on Tuesday is not serious.

Azeez came off in the first-half of a 1-0 win for the development team against Southend United, but his injury has since been assessed by Stuart, who provided a positive update during an in-depth interview for Dons Player.

“The injury is not that bad and it’s just a twinge,” said Stuart. “If there was a game for us on Saturday he would not have been able to play so we have an opportunity to use this time to make sure he’s fit for Stevenage. At the moment it is 50/50.

“Ade has relatively good strength in his thigh, but it is all well and good assessing things in here (physio room) and taking them out to do functional things. Players can control what they are doing in this situation. However, when they go out on the pitch they are doing things instinctively with movements that are not necessarily under their control. That’s when they can get injured.

“Hopefully during the next week we can get Ade doing functional movements, then get him doing things instinctively, and we will see. I am hoping it will have healed enough for him to be involved next Saturday. I am confident, but it’s not 100 per cent that he will be involved.”

During an extensive interview for Dons Player, Stuart provided an insight into his role and the challenges he faces to minimise Wimbledon’s injury list. Look out for the interview tomorrow on Dons Player.